Facebook finds security flaw in 'Chat' feature

Published 5:00 am, Thursday, May 6, 2010

Facebook, the largest social networking site, temporarily shut down its “Chat” feature after discovering a security flaw that let outsiders see the private conversations of some users.

The software error exposed the chat conversations and friend requests of people within a Facebook user's network when they clicked on an option in the site's settings.

Also Wednesday, Facebook was accused of making changes that “diminish user privacy” by the Electronic Privacy Information Center and other consumer advocates in a complaint to U.S. regulators. A Facebook spokesman said the company wouldn't be able to comment until after it has reviewed the complaint.